The Scottish Government has awarded over £62 million through the first phase of the Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).

This is the largest investment made in Scotland to decarbonise buses, supporting the Scottish Government’s Mission Zero ambition for transport.

It will support operators in replacing 276 old diesel buses with new battery-electric models and the required charging infrastructure. The Government announced that 137 of the buses are to be built by ADL in Falkirk.

“137 of these buses will be built in Falkirk – supporting skilled, green manufacturing jobs and benefitting the Scottish economy” – Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth

Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth, said: “We’re providing £62 million in a way which attracts additional private sector investment, resulting in 276 new zero-emission buses to be deployed across Scotland. 137 of these buses will be built in Falkirk – supporting skilled, green manufacturing jobs and benefitting the Scottish economy.

“Supporting a just transition to a net zero economy is central to the ScotZEB approach. Through this round we’re supporting smaller bus operators and rural service providers, whom I’m pleased are equally keen to step up and help tackle the climate emergency.

“I’m pleased that with this significant award for greener buses, free bus travel for under 22s and the provision of over half a billion pounds in long term funding for bus priority infrastructure – we’re putting buses at the heart of Scotland’s green recovery and helping people to choose to travel more sustainably.”

“We very much look forward to working with the successful operators to finalise terms and get our teams working on these buses” – ADL President & Managing Director, Paul Davies

ADL President & Managing Director, Paul Davies, commented: “The Scottish Government continues to lead by example with its support for the bus industry, and the ScotZEB challenge fund supports our collaborative business model of working in close partnership with operators, infrastructure partners and stakeholders. We are pleased that bids for 137 of our zero emission buses have been successful in this phase.

“These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and therefore ensure this Scottish Government investment is made domestically, allowing the benefits to be felt by our team members and across our communities. We very much look forward to working with the successful operators to finalise terms and get our teams working on these buses.”

“As a smaller local operator, it’s been difficult for us to compete with larger operators and attract in financial support to help make the switch”- William Houston, Owner of Houston’s Coaches in Lockerbie

William Houston, Owner of Houston’s Coaches in Lockerbie, said: “Here at Houston’s we want to do our part to respond to the climate emergency and move to a zero emission fleet.

“As a smaller local operator, it’s been difficult for us to compete with larger operators and attract in financial support to help make the switch.

“The ScotZEB programme has helped us compete and enabled Houston’s to invest in new zero emission buses. I’m delighted that our customers will soon benefit from the modern conveniences of four new battery electric buses, which at the same time will improve air quality and help protect our environment.”

Operators awarded funding:

• Bluebird Buses Ltd – £3,066,547 – 13 vehicles
• Craig of Cambeltown – £2,409,294 – 10 vehicles
• Dumfries and Galloway Council – £633,934 – 4 vehicles
• Ember Core – £5,562,126 – 26 vehicles
• Fife Scottish Omnibuses – £7,329,923 – 32 vehicles
• First Aberdeen & First Glasgow – £18,599,858 – 74 vehicles
• Highland Country Buses – £5,834,978 – 25 vehicles
• Houston Coaches – £368,413 – 4 vehicles
• McGills Bus Service – £9,086,933 – 41 vehicles
• Shuttle Buses – £485,955- 5 vehicles
• Stirling Council – £595,404 – 3 vehicles
• Western Buses – £8,029,890 – 39 vehicles

A variety of bus sizes, from minibuses to double decks, are being supported. All awards also include support towards the charging infrastructure, in some cases the charging infrastructure will support a greater number of vehicles than the number of buses shown in the table.